NIASMIC project: developed a protocol for the non-invasive analysis of somatic mutations in cancer patients

On Thursday 25 March, from 10:00, at the conclusion of the research project NIASMIC - Non-Invasive Analysis of Somatic Mutations In Cancer, funded by Sardegna Ricerche with POR FESR Sardegna 2014-2020 funds, we present online, live on our page Facebook, the protocol for the non-invasive analysis of somatic mutations in cancer patients.
Using NEXT, the next-generation sequencing platform of CRS4, the NIASMIC project has made it possible to develop a protocol for the analysis of the genetic profile of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) extracted from plasma through liquid biopsy of cancer patients.
The goal of the project was to develop a single molecular diagnostic protocol for multiple types of neoplasms, simplify the analysis process and optimize the exploitation of genetic data; this to allow greater precision in the clinical setting, for a more targeted personalized medicine, and to encourage further research in the oncology field.
The developed protocol starts from the collection of biological samples, followed by the purification of the respective nucleic acids and, finally, analyzes the most interesting gene sequences, to identify mutations in the plasma that derive from the presence of neoplastic tissues. Furthermore, it allows to centralize the analyzes and to reduce the complex management of samples coming from different departments. The result, therefore, is a reduction in response times to the diagnostic question, more information on the mutational spectrum of the cancer in progress, better monitoring of the efficacy of therapies, and the identification of metastases and any residual disease. This diagnostic approach, which must have further validations using statistically significant numbers of samples, allows for benefits in tumor classification and in the orientation to the choice of the personalized therapeutic protocol to be adopted.
The event will be attended by: Giorgio Fotia, CRS4 manager and scientific head of the project; Roberto Cusano, Rossano Atzeni and Matteo Massidda, CRS4 researchers; Dario Carbini, Sardegna Ricerche and some representatives of the companies involved in the project.
The NIASMIC project, coordinated by CRS4, collaborated with hospital partners, research centers, universities and 7 local businesses. In particular, the following actively collaborated: Otolaryngology Clinic of the Policlinico di Monserrato (CA); Pathological Anatomy of the University of Sassari - Unit of Cancer Genetics IRGB CNR Sassari; Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology of the G. Gaslini Hospital in Genoa.